ETFGI reports ETFs/ETPs listed globally gathered record inflows of 389 billion US dollars and assets reached a new high of 3.546 trillion US dollars at the end of 2016
January 12, 2017--ETFGI, the leading independent research and consultancy firm on trends in the global ETF/ETP ecosystem, today reported assets invested in ETFs/ETPs listed globally reached a new record high of US$3.546 trillion at the end of 2016 passing the prior record of US$3.444 trillion set at the end of November 2016.
In December, ETFs/ETPs gathered a record level of net inflows US$65.25 billion for December, marking the 35th consecutive month of net inflows. During 2016, ETFs/ETPs listed globally gathered a record amount of net inflows US$389.34 Bn surpassing the prior record of US$372.27 Bn gathered in 2015, according to preliminary data from ETFGI's Year-end 2016 global ETF and ETP industry insights report.
Source: ETFGI
World Gold Council-The gold market in 2017
January 12, 2017--In 2016, investors around the world returned in large numbers to the gold market, as a combination of macroeconomic drivers and pent up demand kept interest in gold high.
As we start the new year, there are some concerns that US dollar strength may limit gold's appeal. We believe that, on the contrary, not only will gold remain highly relevant as a strategic portfolio component, but also six major trends will support demand for gold throughout 2017.
Source: World Gold Council
Merk Gold Focus: Gold in Presidential Transition Years
January 12, 2017--We get a lot of questions on how gold will perform in 2017. While we have no crystal ball, we
thought the tidbit below might be of interest to you as you evaluate whether adding a gold component might provide valuable diversification to your portfolio.
Since Nixon took the US dollar off the gold standard in 1971 there have been seven Presidential transition years, i.e., years when a new president was inaugurated.
Source: Merk Investments
World Economic Forum-The Global Risks Report 2017
Under-Employed, Under-Inclusive and Under Threat: the World in 2017
January 11, 2017--Trends such as rising income inequality and societal polarization triggered political change in 2016 and could exacerbate global risks in 2017 if urgent action is not taken, according to the Global Risks Report 2017
Key drivers of risks can be arrested or reversed through building more inclusive societies, for which international cooperation and long-term thinking will be vital
Climate change ranks alongside income inequality and societal polarization as a top trend for 2017, with all five environmental risks featuring for the first time among the most likely and most impactful risks before the world.
World Economic Forum-The Global Risks Report 2017 report
view infograhic-These are the top 5 risks to doing business
Source: WEF (World Economic Forum)
State Street Global Advisors on 2017 Investment Outlook: Pivot To Find Growth amid Global Discord
January 10, 2017--State Street Global Advisors (SSGA), the asset management business of State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT), today released its global market outlook and key investment themes for 2017. In the report, SSGA points to 2017 being another year with top-down global, political and policy developments that will have an outsized impact on investment returns.
"Seismic geopolitical events, most notably the Trump presidency and Brexit surprises, marked 2016 as a game-changer across the geo-political landscape, with significant implications for economies and markets alike," said Rick Lacaille, global chief investment officer for SSGA.
Source: State Street Global Advisors
Global Growth Edges Up to 2.7 Percent Despite Weak Investment
January 10, 2017--Global economic growth is forecast to accelerate moderately to 2.7 percent in 2017 after a post-crisis low last year as obstacles to activity recede among emerging market and developing economy commodity exporters, while domestic demand remains solid among emerging and developing commodity importers, the World Bank said in a report released on Tuesday.
Growth in advanced economies is expected to edge up to 1.8 percent in 2017, the World Bank's January 2017 Global Economic Prospects report said. Fiscal stimulus in major economies-particularly in the United States-could generate faster domestic and global growth than projected, although rising trade protection could have adverse effects.
view the Global Economic Prospects JANUARY 2017 Weak Investment in Uncertain Times report
Source: World Bank
World Gold Council-December Gold ETP holdings 4% lower month-on-month to 2,142.4t
January 10, 2017--At the end of December, total holdings in physically-backed gold exchange-traded products (ETPs) stood at 2,142.4t (68.9 moz), down 96.9t from November. In value terms, total holdings stood at US$78.9bn, 7% lower from a month earlier.
The majority of the decline was borne by funds in North America and Europe, partly owing to a high base effect. Their respective holdings were 1,181.4t and 849.1t, down 6% and 3% month-on-month.
In North America, SPDR Gold Shares and iShares Gold Trust, the two largest gold ETPs in the world, saw their holdings shrunk by 61.7t (-7%) and 6.2t (-3%) to 822.2t and 196.2t.
view the World Gold Council Gold ETP holdings update January 2017
Source: World Gold Council
ETF Securities Weekly Flows Analysis-Weaker US dollar boosts precious metals
January 9, 2017--Mixed economic data and minutes from the Federal Reserve's December meeting weighed on the US dollar, prompting US$69mn of inflows into precious metals.
Investors reduced exposure to ETPs tracking long EUR/USD positions by US$95.7mn last week.
Energy prices ticked down last week due to a massive increase of US oil inventory and milder temperatures in the US.
Source: etfsecurities.com
BCA Research Introduces Global ETF Strategy
January 9, 2017--Continues BCA's strategy to deliver end-to-end research solutions for the global investment community
BCA Research, the leading provider of independent investment research, today announced the introduction of Global ETF Strategy, a new service to connect the dots between BCA’s thematic top-down macro research and the increasingly complex ETF market.
Source: BCA Research
Fund Investors Found Commodities Golden in 2016
January 8, 2017--It was a big bounceback year for commodities funds, with precious metals the most popular
U.S. fund investors caught commodities fever in 2016 in the biggest way in six years, as prices of gold, oil and other commodities rallied.
Source: Wall Street Journal